Sports Drinks Can be Bad for Your Smile! Dental Advice from Woodlands’ Dr. Shirley Cagle

 What you consume can really affect the health of your mouth. And it isn’t just candy or soda that can cause cavities. Sugar isn’t the only culprit in tooth damage. The pH of what you drink (or eat) can also dramatically affect the health of your mouth. Any pH lower than 5.0 can erode enamel, affect the structural integrity of your teeth and cause cavities, sensitivity and even lead to tooth loss. Water has a pH of around 7.0, while sports drinks and sodas have pH levels that start around three and go as low as 2.7. Stomach acid is 2.0! And battery acid is 1.0. That gives you an idea of what you are putting in your mouth and washing over your teeth! Sports drinks are especially bad, and many of our patients have said they drink them instead of soda thinking that they are healthier! Instead of soda, sports drinks or even juice, why not try some coconut water? It has a pH of about 5.4 and contains only naturally occurring sugars and electrolytes. If you have been consuming a lot of sports drinks lately call me, Shirley E. Cagle, DDS, FAGD, at my Woodlands dental office –  (281) 681-9442. A fluoride treatment can help remineralize your teeth and protect them from damage.